DEON POTGIETER, Johannesburg | Monday 11.55am
SIMON Ramoni retained his IBO junior featherweight world title on Friday night in London, scoring an eighth round stoppage over Patrick Mullings, the fighter he took the title from in 1998.
It was an all-action fight with both fighters being dropped early on. At the time of the stoppage, Mullings was ahead on the scorecards, but was experiencing breathing difficulties.
Ramoni caught Mullings on the ropes 45 seconds into the eighth round and wailed into him with body shots, prompting Frank Maloney, Mulling’s manager, to throw in the towel.
Maloney said after the bout: “We’re not sure what it is. It could be cracked ribs, but thankfully there’s no lasting damage.”
Ramoni left South Africa for the bout amidst controversy as to which promoter has claim over him. Branco Universal, who took Ramoni to his title win, was embroiled in a battle with Platinum Glove Promotions over who represents the champion.
Having lost his fighter to Platinum’s Dan Maphalala, Branco Milenkovic of Branco Universal has turned his back on Ramoni. This was the second serious blow received by Milenkovic as he also lost national featherweight champion Philip Ndou to Golden Gloves promotions recently.